Weakest Link host cried for loser

The Weakest Link: Cult viewing

Quiz show host Anne Robinson, known for her tough attitude on her show The Weakest Link, has revealed she cried when one elderly man lost.

The disciplinarian presenter of the BBC show told Friday's Radio Times: "I was devastated when Terry, an 80-year-old former RAF fighter pilot, didn't win.

"I had tears in my eyes. I shouldn't have told you that," she said.

I only articulate the responses of people at home

Anne Robinson

The contestant, a Battle of Britain veteran, was seen on 4 September on the daytime version of the show on BBC Two.

He was popular with the production team and Robinson who were sorry to see him go with nothing, although he is set to return in a losers' special.

Robinson revealed her approach came about by chance in a pilot version of the show.

"When one of the contestants voted off the person next to him, he said cattily 'anyone who doesn't know the colour of the Teletubbies shouldn't be on a quiz show'.

"Suddenly the penny dropped that people who appear on quiz shows have attitude.

"The next time I was confronted by nine shop stewards on the podium, whose approach seemed to be 'how dare you take up our valuable time' - a £5 note dropped.

"I thought 'I'll give as I get' and from nowhere came out with 'you are the weakest link. Goodbye'.

"I heard David Young, the BBC head of light entertainment, shout, 'Yes' at the back of the studio. It was that 'goodbye' that sealed the whole edgy tone of the show."

The presenter added: "I only articulate the responses of people at home."

Robinson's tough line has become a huge hit with audiences and led to the show landing a weekly primetime BBC One slot.

The show's successful format is also being sold to several countries worldwide.